BATON ROUGE — In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a local non-profit is shifting the conversation around domestic abuse by highlighting a crucial, often overlooked ally: men.

On Tuesday night, The Butterfly Society hosted "A Call to Men" at the Martin Luther King Community Center in Baton Rouge. The event invited community members together for an open dialogue focused on the active role men can play in supporting victims and preventing violence before it starts.

Throughout the evening, men in attendance had the opportunity to share their personal experiences and offer advice to others on how to step in when someone needs help. Event organizers emphasized that bringing men into the movement is essential for building safer families and strengthening the broader community.

District 7 Councilwoman Twahna P. Harris spoke to the crowd about the need for male involvement in advocacy efforts.

"Men, we want you to be a part of this movement as well," Harris said. "You have the platform, you have the voice, and we need men right along with us because if women could have ended domestic violence, we could have ended it a long time ago. You see something, say something. Do something. It's so important."

The Butterfly Society continues to advocate for survivors across the region and encourages anyone in need of help, resources, or guidance to reach out to local support networks.